Hello,

I've only heard a little bit about food remedies, but this one is very interesting. A freind of mine who has Psoriasis read a couple of articles saying that spicy foods, especially jalapenos and horse raddish, help to minimize the inflamation and itching caused by the condidtion. But, at the same time he has found other artices saying that spicy food is in fact very bad for skin that is affected by the condition. Which is right? Is there any truth behind it? If it is beneficial, have any of you tried it out?

Thanks!

First: Is it biologically plausible?
Psoriasis is a dermatological manifestation of a systemic disease probably caused by an as yet undiscovered microbe.
So the question could be reframed as 'do spices affect infectious agents'. Well, ofcourse they do. Too some degree. Most substances are spices because they have an effect on microbial agents. Recipies from hundreds of years ago had potatoes served with lavender leaves. Lavender oil is the one thing that is most effective against potato-born pathogens.
Now ofcourse the amounts ingested would be minimal and the effects would be mostly subjective. Its kind of hard to feed spices to someone and not have them know if they ate a bland meal or a spicy one.
So subtle effects and a population that wants an effect to take place would make it hard to prove.
But it is biologically plausible.